Trees spared from Bago road project

ILOILO CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will not issue a clearance to cut trees to give way to a road expansion project in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

“No permit will be issued anymore,” said Jim Sampulna, DENR regional director for Western Visayas.

Sampulna ordered DENR’s office in Bago to issue a stoppage order against the contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for illegally pruning 271 acacia trees along Abuanan Road.

The contractor applied for a cutting permit, but DENR never approved it, saying the tree trimming violates the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

Sampulna told Manila Bulletin DENR is suing the contractor.

He credited the public for bringing the incident to the attention of DENR.

Last week, news and photos of the pruned trees were posted in various social networking sites.

An online petition was launched to save the trees, 100 of which were planted almost 31 years ago as a symbol of Philippine-Japan friendship.

Sampulna also ordered Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, DENR’s officer in Bago, to fully explain the incident.

“It happened under his nose. Why did he wait for the public uproar?” Sampulna said.